Realizing Aqueous High‐Order Tripartite Synapse

A Ao Xiao C Cheng Yuan (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry) Y Yazhou Wang (School of Medicine, Chongqing University) F Feng‐Zao Chen (Zhejiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering Taizhou University Taizhou China) D De‐Man Han (Zhejiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering Taizhou University Taizhou China) J Jing‐Juan Xu (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry For Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing China) W Wei‐Wei Zhao (State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry Nanjing University Nanjing China)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Future integration of artificial intelligence in biological settings imposes a non‐negotiable requirement for advanced aqueous synapses, demanding not only biocompatibility in proper aqueous environments but also high‐order behavior with multimodal functionalities, which, nevertheless, remain underexplored. Herein, we report an interesting light‐bio‐matter interplay, i.e., the one among light, neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and graphene transistor, and thereby the configuration of an aqueous high‐order tripartite synapse (TPS) capable of co‐modulation by electricity, light and DA in the physiological media. Notably, beyond a unique antagonistic effect between light and DA, we further observe that the low‐order and high‐order behavior of the TPS could be finely tuned by the light frequency, intensity, duration, and DA concentration. Using this device, sophisticated biological functions of sensitization, habituation, and recovery could be emulated. History‐dependent plasticity is further explored to develop dynamic logic to control robotic arms. This study is expected to be a starting point for future development of advanced aqueous high‐order synapse.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 38, Issue 27
Published May 01, 2026
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (7)

A

Ao Xiao

C

Cheng Yuan

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry

Y

Yazhou Wang

School of Medicine, Chongqing University

F

Feng‐Zao Chen

Zhejiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering Taizhou University Taizhou China

D

De‐Man Han

Zhejiang Key Laboratory of New Drug Development for Central Nervous System Diseases School of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering Taizhou University Taizhou China

J

Jing‐Juan Xu

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry For Life Science School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing China

W

Wei‐Wei Zhao

State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry Nanjing University Nanjing China